BERAKHOTH. - The first tractate of the Mishnah (v.), consisting of 6 chapters, contained in both the Babylonian and Palestinian Talmuds. As the title “Benedictions” (v.) indicates, it contains rules on synagogue liturgy and on individual prayers.
On occasion, however, it touches on many other topics, such as the physiology of various human organs (61), the value of salt and of cumin as a heart tonic (5; 44), the harm of insufficiently cooked vegetables (39), temperance in food and sleep (38; 62), the annoyance of having to depend on others (6), respect for rulers (58), the interpretation of dreams (55–57), evil spirits (6; 62), knowledge of the dead (18), and so forth. God must be blessed, but without exaggerated praise (32), even when evil comes (60); He must be prayed to with reverence (31), without prolixity (34) and without shouting (24), both for oneself and for others (12), both privately and in the synagogue, where the presence of at least ten members is required (8; 47). The numerous examples of prayers concern the synagogue (16; 17; 29), morning and evening (7), and the most varied circumstances: from bloodletting to the satisfaction of natural needs (60). V. SEMA' and SÉMONEH' ESREH.